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I can confirm two of Bob's risky
birding activities (and add one to do with Orchids).
Point 3: On a headland at Wollongong
taking photos of Sooty Oystercatchers, and then of the rolling waves, I was
accused of being a "XYZ paedo#phile" by one of the "grommets"
(sub-teenage surfers with attitude) in the waves just below the headland.
I was somewhat amazed at this child's familiarity with the terminology. I
then remembered the history of some of Wollongong's former civic leaders,
and the "awareness" of local young people to that particular obsession made some
sense. I shook my head in dismay, and left.
Point 5: - When taking a daily walk from the
Canberra Hospital (while there for extended treatment) I strayed onto a playing
field behind the Garran School, photographing Galahs and Crested Pigeons and
Eastern Rosellas. I went well past the school, and there were no students around
so I was "safe" for Point 4 (school grounds). However, I had inadvertently
strayed close to an Kindergarten/pre-school. I was not aware of my "trespass"
until I noticed the senior person rounding up a bunch of her "wards", and
ushered them inside, away from the prying view of the "nasty man with the
camera". If only she had asked to see my photos (an easy request in this
digital age), this busy-body person would have realised how mis-placed her
concerns were.
Point 6:- I can add another exclusion zone
to Bob's list: - Mount Gibraltar, Bowral. Beware men in Utes who drive slowly
around the roads on the hill. A solitary man, lying on the ground, photographing
Greenhood Orchids is apparently regarded as a provocative act, liable to
misinterpretation.
I remain a wiser, but sadder birdwatcher and
Orchid photographer, dismayed at our society's loss of innocence and the lack of
trust in our fellow humans.
Cheers
- Bob wrote: while doing one of my regular visit to Warden Head, I
met a old friend who has lived in Ulladulla for yonks. While having
a bit of a yak to him I was informed that, this actual spot was
a renowned area for the Ulladulla Branch of the
Lonely Hearts Club (Men Only division) He had no
sooner told me when a patrolling Police car passed by, giving me a
suspicious look and of course when I thought of how many times I must have
been seen there on my own. Well! I excused myself in my best baritone
voice and high tailed ( possibly wrong choice of words) out of there but
while doing so I started to think of where, under no circumstances, should a
single male, with binoculars, be seen.
1- It is not advisable to be near a
Bank, possible felon and casing the joint.
2- Near a Power, Police, Railway Station, possible
terrorist.
3- On the beach on a sunny
day. Possible,
no, definite pervert.
4- Any
school at
your peril
5-
kinde don't
even think about it
6-Warden Head.
Ulladulla.
2 km exclusion zone or the bag over the head trick
So, alas! You can see there isn't many options left for a
male birdo going solo
.
Cheers
Bob
- PS-I personally was hoping to try #3 but the wife has
vetoed that one.
- PSS- I am now in deep prayer in the hope I never get lonely
-
Bob
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